The word “transformation” has become a buzzword. Everywhere – church, workplace or society at large – we hear that “transformation” is the GOAL. What does “transformation” really mean? The Oxford Concise Dictionary defines it as “a marked change in nature, form, or appearance”. In other words, transformation is not a surface change, but a radical and lasting one.
The concept of “transformation” has great significance for Christians. Firstly, we are the recipients of transformation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17)
Secondly, we are to be the catalysts of transformation, the agents through whom God transforms the world. “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world…” (Matt. 5:13–14) More pointedly, Jesus’ Last Commission was that we “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18–20).
Here we will focus on the corporate nature of this Commission. Making disciples of all nations involves not merely discipling individuals and teaching them to obey all of Jesus’ commands. Individuals live in communities and nations with their structures, relationships, values and culture.
If the Gospel is to transform sinful individual lives, it must also transform the unjust structures in which those lives are lived. We believe we are called to disciple entire nations. More specifically, we believe we are called to disciple our own nation.
If the Gospel is to transform sinful
individual lives, it must also
transform the unjust structures in
which those lives are lived. |
NECF Malaysia is fully convinced of God’s mandate for the evangelical Christians in Malaysia to lead the nation towards the ideal found in Isaiah 9:1–7. This is a prophetic picture of Christ’s future reign and a vision of the Kingdom of God in its final fulfilment.
NECF’s vision is to transform the nation through the local church. We desire to work alongside local churches to empower them to be visionary in thinking, vital in ministry and visible in action.
Specifically, there are four “blessings” of a discipled nation that we aim at:
- Economic Sufficiency
- Social Peace
- Public Justice
- National righteousness.
Economic Sufficiency
“… they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest…” (Isa. 9:3) In the Kingdom of God, there will be no poor people. Unfortunately, poverty is a stark reality at the present. In fact, the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen.
Our Vision 2020’s definition of economic sufficiency is a happy state of affair where there is not a single Malaysian subjected to gross under-nourishment, where basic necessities are provided for all, where there is a wide and vigorous middle class, and where full opportunities are provided for those in the bottom category to climb their way out.
The Malaysian Church is doing her part in helping the poor and providing for their needs. Can we do it on a larger scale? Can churches in a locality work together so as to minister more effectively? Do we genuinely love the poor and aim at empowering them to provide for themselves, instead of making them dependent on us? These are questions to ponder.
Social Peace
“And he will be called… Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” (Isa. 9:6b-7a)
In today’s multi-racial, multi-religious and pluralistic society, maintaining social peace is a delicate balancing act for any earthly government. The Church can play an important role here. Firstly, we are called to live at peace with society at large (Rom. 12:18, Heb. 12:14).
More than that, having been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:8-19), Christians should stand ready to assist in, or even initiate, peace initiatives as mediators. But will Christians be taken seriously if we give no thought to training our people for the difficult task? Or if conflicts threaten to tear our churches apart?
True social peace must begin with peace with God, peace with self and peace within the Church. Let us examine ourselves.
Public Justice
“He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice…” (Isa. 9:7b) Justice is the foundation of God’s rule. Jesus had to die on the cross to satisfy God’s justice.
The word for “justice” and related terms occur about 500 times in the Old Testament and 200 times in the New. Justice is the supreme principle of earthly institutions and systems in fallen society.
Public justice is the foundation of social peace. It deals with equitable and fair legislation for everyone. Do we Christians care about justice for the nameless oppressed? Or are we passionate only when we ourselves are wronged or affected?
An example is the M. Moorthy’s religious conversion issue. Do we sincerely care about justice for people of other religions? Let us ask God for more love and a bigger vision, as well as greater wisdom and perseverance to see His justice done in our nation.
National Righteousness
“He will reign… with… righteousness from that time on and forever.” (Isa. 9:7b). A frequently-asked question is: Can non-Christians be righteous? If the term means being accepted by God unto salvation, the answer is “No”. However, non-Christians can be considered righteous if they seek to live by the standards set by our Holy God.
Our Prime Minister is attempting to inculcate positive values in both the government administration as well as the people. Christians should take a leading role in this initiative. In a world where truth and morality are increasingly relativised, Christians must stand up for what is right.
The thought of discipling a whole nation may be too much for some, but every Christian can be a light to those around him or her, every local church can make a difference in the immediate neighbourhood, and a few churches in a community can come together to make a difference in an even larger way. By our testimony, others will be attracted to follow not only our example but also our God’s.
In many ways, evangelism in the traditional sense (directed at the individual) remains the top priority of the Church. When hearts are converted to Christ, society will change.
On the other hand, non-Christians living in a discipled nation will be more responsive to the proclamation of the gospel. Let us renew our commitment to transform our nation through the local church, to be visible witnesses for Jesus Christ in the thick of life.
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